Refrigerator Shelf Rack-and-Pinion Adjustment Without Tilting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators lack efficient height-adjustable shelves that can be modified without removing them, leading to difficulties in optimizing storage space for items of varying sizes and risking tilting during adjustment, which may cause items to fall.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a support assembly with a rack and pinion gear mechanism that allows vertical movement of shelves along fixed rails, enabling single-handed adjustment without tilting, using a unidirectional mechanism to control gear rotation for upward and downward movements, and incorporating a brake device to prevent sudden falls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If shelves are made fixed inside the compartment, then the structure is simple and stable, but the storage space cannot be adapted to items of varying sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf system transitions from a fixed static structure to a dynamic adjustable one. The support assembly can be moved vertically along the door by engaging with protrusions at different heights, allowing the shelf configuration to adapt to varying storage needs while maintaining structural stability through the door's inherent strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The door is divided into multiple functional segments: fixed structural portions providing stability, and an adjustable support assembly portion that can be repositioned vertically. This segmentation allows the shelf system to combine the simplicity of fixed structures with the adaptability of movable components.
2Ease of operation
If shelves are made adjustable with multiple protrusions, then the vertical positioning can be controlled, but all items on the shelf must be removed before adjustment which is not practical
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly is designed to be self-adjusting through a lever mechanism. By simply operating the lever, the support assembly can be released from its current position and repositioned to a new height on the door, eliminating the need to remove items or manually disassemble the shelf structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism transforms the static shelf position into a dynamic one that can be easily changed. The lever-operated release system allows the support assembly to move freely along the door's vertical axis when needed, then lock into place at desired heights, enabling quick reconfiguration without time-consuming item removal.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the support assembly can be moved vertically along the door, then the storage space can be optimized, but the support assembly may tilt during adjustment causing items to fall
Solution Approach 1:
The lever mechanism acts as a counterbalancing element that prevents the support assembly from tilting during vertical movement. When the lever is engaged, it applies a stabilizing force that counteracts gravitational pull and any lateral forces, keeping the support assembly level and preventing items from falling even as the assembly moves to different heights.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever serves as an intermediary mechanism between the user's manual input and the support assembly's vertical movement. It mediates the adjustment process by providing controlled movement and inherent stabilization, ensuring the support assembly remains stable throughout the adjustment operation and at all positioned heights.
4Ease of operation
If a unidirectional mechanism is used to control gear rotation, then single-handed adjustment is enabled, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The unidirectional ratchet mechanism acts as an intermediary that translates simple single-handed lever operation into controlled vertical movement. It mediates between the user's easy lever manipulation and the precise positioning of the support assembly, allowing one-handed operation while the ratchet mechanism internally manages the bidirectional control requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The control mechanism transitions from a static bidirectional system to a dynamic unidirectional ratchet system. The ratchet allows free movement in the upward direction when the lever is operated, then automatically locks in place, providing inherent stabilization. This dynamic behavior enables simple single-handed operation while maintaining precise control and stability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for easy, single-handed adjustment of shelves without removing them, optimizing storage space and preventing items from falling, while ensuring stable and efficient use of the refrigerator's vertical space.
Implementation Method 1
at least a rack (21) and a gear (15) for the connection of the support assembly (10) to the refrigerating compartment (3), the rack (21) being fixed on the refrigerating compartment (3) and the gear (15) being connected to the support assembly (10) so as to have a meshing between the rack (21) and the gear (15)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a refrigerating appliance (1) including a body (2) in which a refrigerating compartment (3) is defined and a door (4) connected to said body to open and close said compartment, and a height adjustable support assembly (10,10′,100) connected to said body and/or said door. The refrigerating appliance (1) further comprises a rail (23a,23b;23a′,23b′) including a rack portion (21) attached to said body (2) within said compartment (3) and/or to said door (4), the rail extending substantially along a vertical axis. The height adjustable support assembly (10;10′;100) comprises: a support member (11;11′;11″) to support items to be refrigerated/frozen; a height adjustment gear (15a,15b) rotatably connected to the support member (11;11′;11″), the gear meshing with the rack portion (21) so that the support member can be vertically moved along the rail (23a,23b;23a′,23b′); a unidirectional stopper unit (19; 70) to regulate rotation of the height adjustment gear (15a,15b) when meshed with the rack portion (21), allowing an upward movement of the support member (11;11′;11″) along the vertical axis and blocking downward movements along the vertical axis; and a lever (50) coupled to the unidirectional stopper unit, the lever being apt to disengage the unidirectional stopper unit so as to allow a downward movement of the support member (11;11′;11″) along the vertical axis when operated.